Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-03
CHAPTER vi.

conIuSlon OF ulnu IN Wnat Squalls Oh anger and lulS
OF sick collapse In what pacing Of streets and plung
ing into public houses,i 1t would prot little TO relate
His misery II 1t were not progressive, yet tended
In no way TO diminish; for in proportion as grief
and indignation abated, fear began to take their
place. AT first, his fathers menacing words lay
BY In some safe drawer OF memory, hiding their
hour. AT nrst, John was all thwarted affection
ana ongnted nope next oiudgeoned vanity raised
the father was disowned even as he had disowned
the son. What was this regular course Of nfe that
clock-work virtues, from which love was absent9
Kindness was the test, kindness the aim and soul
and judged by such standard, the discarded prod
igal-now rapidly drowning his sorrows and his
reason In successive drams-was a Great
ure OF a loyeier morality than his SELF
man; he felt t. glowed With the coaseousn sss
and entering public house at the corner OF Howard
Place (whither he had somehow wandered) he
pledged his own virtues In glass-perhaps the
fourth since his dismissal. or that he knew MOTH
ing, keeping no account OF what he did or where
he went; and in the general crashing hurry OF his
nerves, unconscious OF the approach OF intoxfca-
ton. Indeed. IL Is a question whether he were
really growing intoxicated, or whether at first the
spirits did not even sober him. For IL even as
be drained this last glass that his fathers ambig-
uous and menacing wOrds-poppng from their
hiding-plac In memory-startled him like hand
laid upon his shoulder. "Cr1mcs-hunted-the, gal
lows" They were ugly words; in the ears OF an
innocent man, perhaps all the uglier; for II some
judicial error were In act against him, who should
set a limit TO It's gr0SSneSS to how far IL might
be pushed? Not John. indeed; he was no believer
IN the powers OF innocence, his curst experience
pointing In quite other ways; and his fears, once
about the city streets.
1t was perhaps, nearly o at night; he had eaten
nothing since lunch, he had drunk a good deal,
and he was exhausted by emotion, when the
thought or Houston came into his head He
turned, not merely to the man as a friend, but TO
his house as a place OF refuge. The danger that
threatened him was still so vague that he knew
neither what To fear nor where he might expect II
but this much at least seemed undeniabSe, that q
Than n nuhlic Moved
by these cOunsels he turned at once to the Gale
DOMAIN station, passed mot without alarm into the
bright lights OF the approach, redeemed his port
manteau from the cloak room, and was soon whirl-
ing in a cab along the Glasgow road. The change
OF movement and position. the sight OF the lamps
twinkling TO the rear, and the smell OF damp and
mold and rotten straw which chung about the
vehicle wrought In him strange alterations Of
lucidity and mortal giddineSs.
al have been drinking" he discovered; 81 must
go straight to bed and Sleep" And he thanked
heaven for the drowsiness that came upon his
From one of these spells he was awakened by the
stoppage OF the cab, and getting down found him.
suburb shining some way below and the high
walls OF a garden rising before him in the dark
The Lodge (as the place was named) stood, indeed,
very solitary. To the south 1t ad1oined another
house, but standing In so large garden as to be
wen out OF cry; on all other sides open fields
stretched upward TO the woods of Corstophine Hill
or backward to the dells OF RavelstOn or down.
ward toward the valley OF the Leith. The effect
OF seclusion was aided by the great height OF the
as John had tested, in former days, defed the
climbing school boy. The lamp of the cab threw a
CLEAN upon the door and the not brilliant handle
''Shall ring for yer" said the cabman who had
descended from his perch and was Shaping his
chest for the nigh, was ST.. bitter
to hts brow in one Of his accesses OF giddiness
The man pulled at the handle, and the clanking
and thrice he did 1t, with sufcient intervals; in
the great frosty silence OF the night the sounds fell
sharp and small
.Does be expect ye?r asked the driver, with that
manner OF familiar interest that well became his
port-wine face; and when John had told him no,
advice Of it, wen just gang back And that's dis
Glesgie road"
'The servants must hear" said John.
'sHout!" said the driver. "He keeps no servants
here, man. They're a. In the town house; drive
him often; it's just kind OF a hermitage, this"
The clamor had not yet subsidized before they
heard steps upon the gravel and a voice OF singu-
door, "Who are you, and what do you want?"
"Alan," said John, "tt's me-its Fatty-John,
you know. I'm just come home. and I've come TO
stay with you"
There was no reply for moment, and then the
door was opened.
'.Get the pOrtmanteau down" said John to the
driver
'Do nothing Of the kind said Alan; and then to
John, come In here moment; want to speak
20 you"
John entered the garden, and the door was
closed behind him. A candle stood on the gravel
walk, wtnking a little in the draughtS; IL threw
inconstant sparkles on the dumped holly, struck
the light and darkness to and fro like a veil on
Alan's features. and sent his shadow lowering be-
hind him, All beyond was inScrutable: and Johns
dizzy brain rocked with the shadow. Yet even so,
IT struck him that Alan was pale, and his voice.
when he spoke. unnatural.
''what brings you here to-night?- lie began. 81
don't want, God knows, TO seem unfriendly; but
cannot take you in, Nicholson; cannot do it."
fs 10 GnfA IAN.rN
don't know the mess I'm In; the governors
turned me out, and daren't show face In an inn,
because they're down on me for murder or some
thingw
''FOr WHAT" cried Alan, starting
murder, believe" says John.
Murder" repeated Alan, and passed his hand
over his eyes. what was that you were saying?'
he asked again.
THAT they were down on me" said John. s1'm
I've really had a dreadful day OF 1t, Alan, and /
can't sleep on the roadside on night like this-at
Least mot With nth Po1tmante az, he pleaded
and then, Ibid you hear nothing?" he asked.
"No, said John, thrilling he knew not why, with
And then, as there was no answer, he reverted to
his pleading: But say, Alan you've just got TO
take me In III go hight away to bed II you have
anything 10 do. i seem TO have been drinking;
was that Knocked over. ] wouldn't turn you away
Alan, II you were down on your luck
MOI" returned Alan. "Neither win you, then.
Come and let's get your portmanteau."
The cabman was paid and drove on down the
long, lamplt hill and the two friends stood on the
sidewalk beside the portmanteau till the last rum
bic OF the wheels had died In silence IL seemed TO
John as though Alan attached Importance TO this
departure OF the cab; and John, who was In no
state 10 crit1cSe shared profoundly In the feeling
When the stiffness was once more perfect Alan
shouldered the portmanteau, carried 1t In, and
shut and locked the garden door; and then, once
more, abstraction seemed TO fall upon him. and he
stood with his hand on the key, until the cold be-
gan 10 nibble at Johns fingers.
"Why are We standing here?" asked John.
"Eh?" said Alan, blankly
"Why, man, you don't seem yourself said the
other.
"No, I'm not myself" said Alan: and he sat
hands
John stood beside him swaying a little and
looking about him at the swaying shadows, the
Hitting spar&es. and the steady stars overhead
until the windless cold began TO touch him through
his clothes on the bare skin. Even IN his bemused
Intelligence, wonder began TO awake.
II say, let's come on TO the house, " he said at
last.
ayes, let's come on to the house. repeated Alan.
teau. and taking the candle In his other hand
moved forward to the lodge. This was a long low
building, sinOthered In creepers; and now except
Tor some chinks OF light between the dining-rooIn
shutters, II Was plunged In darkness and silence
In the hall Alan lit another candle gave It 10
John, aud opened the door or a bedroom
Here" said he, ''gO 70 bed. Don't mind me.
john Iou'l De sorry for me when you know"
"Wait a bit,' returned John; aI'ye got so cold
dinlng-room a minute. Just one glass TO warm
me, Alan"
ON the table In the hail stood a glass. and a
bottle with a whisky label on tray. IL was Dain